If you have been keeping up with the One Piece manga during the Elbaf arc, March 2026 is shaping up to be one of the strongest months the series has had all year. With Oda maintaining a solid release pace and the anime making its much-anticipated return in April, there has never been a better time to be a One Piece fan. Here is the full confirmed release schedule for both March and April 2026.
Full One Piece Chapter Release Schedule: March and April 2026
All dates below reflect US Sunday releases via Viz Media and Manga Plus. Japanese readers receive chapters at midnight JST on Mondays, so dates may shift by one day depending on your region. Indian readers can expect chapters around 7:30 PM IST on Sunday evenings.
| Chapter | Release Date (US) | Release Date (Japan) | Notes |
| Chapter 1175 | March 1, 2026 | March 2, 2026 | First chapter after February break |
| Chapter 1176 | March 8, 2026 | March 9, 2026 | Most recently released chapter |
| Break | March 15, 2026 | March 16, 2026 | Sudden Oda break announced after Ch. 1176 |
| Chapter 1177 | March 22, 2026 | March 23, 2026 | Delayed from original March 15 slot |
| Chapter 1178 | March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2026 | Final chapter of March |
| Chapter 1179 | April 5, 2026 | April 6, 2026 | Elbaf arc continues; anime also returns |
| Break | April 12, 2026 | April 13, 2026 | Standard break after approx. 3 chapters |
| Chapter 1180 | April 19, 2026 | April 20, 2026 | Returns after April break |
| Chapter 1181 | April 26, 2026 | April 27, 2026 | Final chapter of April (barring changes) |
Important note on Chapter 1177: Some earlier trackers listed March 15 for Chapter 1177 before the delay was announced. Always verify on Viz Media or Manga Plus before the chapter drops, as schedules can shift without notice.
All schedules are subject to last-minute changes due to Oda’s health or Weekly Shonen Jump adjustments.
March 2026: Four Chapters and One of the Strongest Months of the Year
March started with real momentum for the series. After One Piece went on break on February 22, 2026, it returned with Chapter 1175 on March 1, immediately diving back into the Elbaf arc. Chapter 1176 followed on March 8, keeping pace with no interruption in the first two weeks.
However, a sudden one-week break was announced after Chapter 1176, attributed to Oda’s routine health and schedule management. This is a normal occurrence for the series, with Oda typically taking one break per month after approximately three consecutive chapters. This particular break pushed Chapter 1177 from its originally expected March 15 slot to March 22, with Chapter 1178 following on March 29 to close out the month.
That gives fans four confirmed chapters in March (1175, 1176, 1177, and 1178) with one mid-month break, making it one of the stronger months of 2026 following the slower December and January holiday period.
As of March 16, 2026, Chapter 1176 (March 8) is the most recently released chapter, with Chapter 1177 expected on March 22.
April 2026: Three Chapters Expected with Anime Return as a Buffer
April is expected to deliver three chapters in total, with one break factored in:
Chapter 1179 arrives on April 5, 2026, continuing the Elbaf arc and carrying the story forward from where Chapter 1178 leaves off. A break is then expected on April 12, 2026, following Oda’s standard pattern of resting after approximately three consecutive releases.
After that break, Chapter 1180 is expected on April 19, 2026, followed by Chapter 1181 on April 26, 2026, closing out the month. Notably, the April 12 break week coincides perfectly with the return of the One Piece anime, giving fans new content to enjoy while waiting for the next chapter.
One Piece Anime Returns April 5, 2026 with the Elbaf Arc
The One Piece anime returns on April 5, 2026, launching directly into the Elbaf arc at approximately Episode 1156. The anime had been on a planned three-month hiatus from January through March 2026, allowing the production team additional time to improve animation quality and storytelling pacing for the Final Saga.
Starting with the Elbaf arc, the anime also moves to a seasonal structure, releasing approximately 26 episodes per year rather than the near-continuous weekly schedule fans had been used to for decades. This shift keeps the anime from catching up to the manga too quickly and should result in a more polished adaptation of the story’s remaining arcs.
The anime’s return on April 5 is confirmed by both Toei Animation and Crunchyroll, with the December 2025 and February 2026 announcements both aligning on this date. You can watch One Piece on Crunchyroll, where all previous episodes are available now.
Where to Read the One Piece Manga
You can read all One Piece manga chapters officially on the following platforms:
- Manga Plus at mangaplus.shueisha.co.jp
- Viz Media at viz.com/shonenjump/chapters/one-piece
Both platforms release new chapters simultaneously with the Japanese publication. Notably, the three most recent chapters are free on both Manga Plus and Viz. Access to the full back catalogue requires a Viz subscription at $2.99 per month.
What Is Happening in the Elbaf Arc?
The Elbaf arc takes the Straw Hat Pirates to the legendary homeland of the giants, a location teased since the introduction of Dorry and Brogy early in the series. With the story now in the Final Saga, the arc is delivering major world-building revelations, the introduction of the powerful God’s Knights, and ongoing development of Luffy’s Gear 5, with Oda reportedly addressing a key weakness of that transformation within this arc.
After the futuristic and technology-heavy chaos of the Egghead arc, the shift to a world rooted in ancient giant culture and warrior tradition brings a fresh dynamic to the story as it moves toward its conclusion.
Quick Summary
| Month | Chapters | Break Week | Total |
| March 2026 | 1175, 1176, 1177, 1178 | March 15 (sudden) | 4 chapters |
| April 2026 | 1179, 1180, 1181 (expected) | April 12 (standard) | 3 chapters expected |
All manga chapters are available on Manga Plus and Viz Media, and the anime streams on Crunchyroll. Check both platforms directly for the most up-to-date chapter release confirmation, particularly around weekly break announcements, as Oda’s schedule can shift without prior notice.
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